Passenger protection apparatus using graphic light projection and method thereof

• US 9,308,860 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2012
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Cha, Dong Eun
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Point, Rufus
• Application Number:
  US13/450,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20130120130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 340/460, 340/692
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/547 for issuing requests to other traffic participants; for confirming to other traffic participants they can proceed, e.g. they can overtake
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/02 Retractable steps or ladders, e.g. movable under shock B60R3/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/02 at the sides, e.g. on running-board

Abstract

An apparatus mounted on a vehicle to protect a passenger using a graphic light projection includes a first detection unit configured to detect an opening of a vehicle door, a second detection unit configured to detect a boarding of a boarding person or an alighting of an alighting person, a side step driving unit configured to drive an intelligent side step, a light projection unit configured to project a boarding protection light or an alighting protection light, and a control unit configured to control the side step driving unit to pull out the intelligent side step set within the vehicle when the first detection unit detects the opening of the vehicle door and configured to control the light projection unit to project the alighting protection light when the second detection unit detects the alighting of the alighting person.

Claims

1. An apparatus mounted on a vehicle to protect a passenger using a graphic light projection, the apparatus comprising:

a first detection unit detecting an opening of a vehicle door;

a second detection unit detecting a boarding of a boarding person or an alighting of an alighting person;

a side step driving unit driving a side step;

a light projection unit mounted to a side of the side step and projecting a boarding protection graphic light or an alighting protection graphic light;

a third detection unit detecting the boarding person located within a predetermined distance from the vehicle; and

a control unit controlling the side step driving unit to pull out the side step set within the vehicle when the first detection unit detects the opening of the vehicle door, and controlling the light projection unit to project the alighting protection graphic light when the second detection unit detects the alighting of the alighting person,

wherein the control unit controls the light projection unit to project the boarding protection graphic light when the third detection unit detects the boarding person and then the side step driving unit to pull out the side step set within the vehicle, when the boarding person detected by the third detection unit is determined to be within the predetermined distance from the vehicle and the first detection unit detects the opening of the vehicle door.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controlling the light projection unit to stop projecting the alighting protection graphic light when the vehicle is operated in a driving mode.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third detection unit includes a smart key detection sensor.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the light projection unit to stop projecting the boarding protection graphic light when the vehicle is operated in a driving mode.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an alarm unit,

wherein the control unit controls the alarm unit to send an alarm when the first detection unit detects the opening of the vehicle door.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second detection unit detects a pressure generated when the boarding person or the alighting person steps thereon.

7. A passenger protection method using a graphic light projection, the method comprising:

detecting, by a third detection unit, a boarding person located within a predetermined distance from a vehicle;

detecting, by a second detection unit, a boarding of the boarding person;

projecting, by a light projection unit, a boarding protection graphic light upon detecting the boarding person;

detecting, by a first detection unit, an opening of a vehicle door; and

pulling out, by a side step driving unit, a side step set within the vehicle, in response to the opening of the vehicle door when the boarding person detected by the third detection unit is determined to be within the predetermined distance from the vehicle, wherein the light projection unit is mounted to a side of the side step.

8. The passenger protection method according to claim 7, further including:

stopping projecting the boarding protection graphic light when the vehicle is operated in a driving mode.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the third detection unit includes a smart key detection sensor.

10. The passenger protection method according to claim 7, further including:

sending an alarm in response to the opening of the vehicle door.